(It was like the players had shadows earliers. It felt like five players became eight that’s why we were having a difficultly guarding them because our five opponents became eight. I don’t know if they were just too fast so that’s why they had shadows. But it felt like that.)

Like in Game 2, the Beermen came out flat once again on Tuesday and fell behind by as much as 14, 79-65, entering the fourth quarter.

San Miguel managed to claw its way back and get into within three twice in the clutch–with 6:07 left and again with 2:08 in the clock–but Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio put on the finishing touches for Ginebra.

“We almost got them. They were lucky that (Prince Caperal) made the three points and got them back up by six,” said Santos said after Ginebra tried to pull away agin, 90-81, with 4:38 to play.

But likening this 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals to a fruit-bearing tree, Santos said that San Miguel is still “motivated to get that tree.”

(There are some dispute with regard to the land title. There are a lot who are staking their claim, but we won’t allow them. We’ll negotiate to get that tree since we’ve already got a bunch of fruit. We’re still ahead in this series.)

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.